Unai Emery does NOT seem too concerned about away form.
“I think generally we are well. I don’t think we are very bad,”
“It is a bad result, not a good performance but we are fourth.
Yes, this is true.
“This was a very good opportunity to take the three points and go third but after the result we are fourth and we need to be consistent.
“We are going to have chances also in the next matches and it depends on us and on other teams.
“After the result we can be negative because three points less (to be won) but it is in our hands to continue taking chances to be in the top four.”
This is also true.
Our top 4 chances have taken a big hit after that result, mainly because the loss has taken the wind out of the momentum sails. We’re heading into a crunch run of very important high-intensity games with a horrible away record hanging around our necks with tired legs… not. ideal. fam.
However, if we want to mix it with the big boys next year, the players have to react. If they want bigger bonuses, they’ll have to dust away the sad-webs and make a serious adjustment to their mentality away from home.
The manager is going to have to start learning lessons a touch quicker. Matteo G and BIG Mo cannot be played together, it’s a mix of low talent and raw experience that blends worse than orange juice and milk. Our rotations are going to have to be cuter if we’re to maintain belief, energy, and skill.
We have a monster match this Thursday against the MIGHTY Napoli. I say mighty… I’m not really sure. Juve are mighty and they are top of Serie A by 20 points. Napoli reside in second, 7 points ahead of 3rd. Is this a bit like the difference between Dortmund and Bayern? I would think so. That said, it’ll not be easy and let’s be TOTALLY real here… we’ve been taken down by Rennes and BATE this season, so even if we snatch a win, it’ll be very tough to deal with them at their place.
The big question for Emery is how hard will he go in this game? Where does he see his biggest opportunity? Or, has the season become so unpredictable now that he’s just going to gun hard for both top 4 and Europa? I think likely the latter. He’ll be desperate for a trophy and he’ll really want that tag of being the greatest Europa League king who ever did exist… I heard that he’s hoping they retire the trophy if he wins it this time. He’s very focused.
That could come with issues, we have 6 games in 18 days, players are already tired if Everton was anything to go by… so what impact will gunning for everything have?
Well, we’re going to find out my pretties… but please, don’t be dim in the comments and tell me that an international break is enough to bring players back to freshness, or that fatigue is related to character… or that love for the badge will change anything.
SEE U IN THE COMMENTS x
P.S. Hazard… whoooahmy
Here again
For
The
Trofee
Ti
Congrats Boomslang, so late of seconds. Oh dear….
Oh dear charlie georgina, do you understand the reversed psychological then, dude? The more your rambling on Emery is shit emery is crap, the more neutral people got symphatized to Emery because of your nonstop 24 hours bollocks. Or are you just an emery’s paid PR worker on internet that intentionally use that reverse phychology to emery’s benefit? Who knows? I don’t even like Emery, especially his weird dracula face compared to baldy good looking Pep. But he is done so far OK in terms of points result than last season as for a transitional period. Sure he made mistakes… Read more »
Paulinho “Ramsey made 12 tackles against United, more than anyone on the pitch. He also made 8 tackles against Atletico Madrid away from home last season, more than anyone. He puts in a defensive shift – when fit – regardless of system or manager.” No one is doubting that Ramsey can put in a disciplined midfield performance as he did so in the cup final v Chelsea and a few other games but also no one should doubt that for the majority of the games Ramsey was a liability in a 2 man midfield. He has shown recently that he… Read more »
Cheers Mick
Napoli have coasted in recent weeks in Serie A but there is no disputing that they are a very good team,capable of beating anyone.
They will be pumped up on Thursday night and we have to be ready. Mental/Physical fatigue should not come into this.
It should be a cracking atmosphere. Let’s hope the Arsenal players rise to the occasion.
Afternoon Grovers, Good post Pedro. I’m still pissed off with the Everton game, a huge opportunity missed. A combination of injuries and wrong team selection cost us. Ramsey, Xhaka, Kos carrying injuries, Aubameyang recovering from illness, Torreira suspended left us with no choice but to pair Elneny with Guendouzi, no pace in those too whatsoever and that’s where we lost the game allowing Everton to control the game. MK should have been on the bench with Iwobi in his place. Those moaning about ANM playing right back – what were we supposed to do? Bellerin is injured, play Lichsteiner? No… Read more »
We need to go guns blazing here on out
I believe that the coaching stuff has underestimated the opponent. We applied the same tactic as if they were Newcastle. On top of that, our two midfielders were replaced by two squad players and playing Mikki on the left instead of Iwobi killed both Kola and Mikki. No wonder the game was so one sided. I know we don’t have much choice for the midfielder. Playing away, the formation had to be tighter to give the squad players a chance. It would be easier for them to connect to the attackers if the attackers came back and help out. Also,… Read more »
Benny I’m impressed with your knowledge of future results, I take you must be a making millions on football bets with that sort of knowledge
benny “…no choice but to pair Elneny with Guendouzi” But we did have a choice. 2 subs at halftime told the whole story – Emery got his selection wrong. Ramsey should have started. If he was carrying a knock or whatever, why even have him on the bench? And we all saw that he brought that extra bit of energy and spark that was missing in the first half. Also, for me, Mikhi and Ozil is a bad pairing. They get into each other’s space way too much. Both are not wingers, more of a number 10 / playmaker style… Read more »
Thanks Jay, maybe I will start making football bets, good idea.
I get that Elneny isn’t standard, but how we keep bleating about it like Mhkitaryan, Ozil, Kolasinac and AMN were not more terrible than Elneny and Guendouzi, There was no creative play between our two number tens to provide for Lacazatte. Auba cam on and i must say, he’s another one that can’t carry a team….see Hazard for what i mean…..
Upstate,
Because he needs protecting for the run in and because had he started Rsmsey and he aggravated his injury the likes of you would have been blaming Emery for not resting him on the bench.
Some of you just can’t resist blaming Emery no matter what he does. It’s quite sad and pathetic really.
“I get that Elneny isn’t standard”
Get rid of him next summer. Not even Carambao Cup level.
benny
Emery got his selection wrong, you can’t really argue with that. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be bringing in 2 subs at halftime. As for Ramsey or any other player for that matter who are carrying knocks or whatever, why have them on the bench then? Xhaka had a minor injury. So did Kosc. Both were missing. Ramsey must have passed the test, and therefore was available. Elneny or Ramsey? Hmmm, that’s a toughy.
For me, it’s time to start playing Guendouzi sparingly, he is good, but i don’t think he should be featuring as much towards the tail end…..A midfield pairing of Ramsey and Elneny (if we were rotating) and Mhki on, Ozil off.
Kolasinac is proving to be a defensive liability, reminded me of the debacle at old trafford, he’s always caught out of position and finds a way to make errors that end up in the net.
A tepid post from the indefatigable PedRo today and I thank him for it. I use the word tepid – because quoting comments from our incumbent coach is a sure fire way to bore the pants of all of us. His press conferences are a complete waste of time. Nothing can be gleaned from them. PedRo touched upon that Emery played Genduzi and Elneny together – a quite staggering selection. And puts pay -that Emery is remotely competent. Let’s hope the club pay up Elnenys contract in full – and the likeable but limited Egyptian can find another club more… Read more »
Charlie George
Give it a rest FFS. You are an absolute moron.
This current regime will go down at the Brains Trust that deciphered Ramsey did not deserve a contract but Elneny did. So Ramsey wasn’t offered a contract? You all keep saying it like he wasn’t offerd a contract while Wenger was here in the last 2 years, Ramsey’s contract was on the table as the same time Ozil and Sanchez’s…we made efforts to keep the Welsh man and he was angling for way more than we all would like, see Ozil…..He’s good, but a few cup wins doesn’t take away from performances he was ineffective. The flicks, the undisciplined midfield… Read more »
Midwest/ Valentin
I’m not saying play all the youngsters though, on saying they should have been given more chances considering we’ve had to endure Mustafi and El Neny lately…..I’d have loved Saka to get more playing time, Medley and even Willock too
CG, Don’t speak for all of us, the only person Emery quotes bore is you because you don’t like Spanish people. Emery’s midfield selection was not staggering, it was forced upon him by injuries and keeping people fresh for the run in. Not that difficult to understand. Ramsey hasn’t actually been that good for us, 2 good seasons out of 10 and s lot of those injured. Ramsey could have signed the contract before Gazidas left but he wanted parity with Oxil and refused to sign it, pulling his contract was the right thing to do because he was trying… Read more »
Well said Dale, finally some fucking sanity in here.
Charlie, we all know that you don’t like Emery. But your dislike is quickly turning into hatred. For your own sake, just let it go !
benny….echoed my thoughts
Charlie George does spout some absolute nonsense by the way
The fact that Emery hasn’t found way to combat our poor away form should be a cause of concern going forward because the differences in performances all season has been atrocious…I get needing more time and better players but asides away to spurs, our away performances have been very very bad
Is there such thing as “Emeryitis?”
Elneny the gormless mong earns more than Bergkamp and Adams in their prime
I do not dislike Emery personally.
But Professionally – I think he is clueless.
PedRo touched on the selection of Genduzi and Elneny., today Not me.
These are all topical issues.
Some fans – can not face the truth .
That there problem not mine.
From someone – who has supported Arsenal for decades. This guy will go down – if the not worst ever Arsenal coach- certainly the most nondescript.
CG it seems anytime we lose, you come out against Emery.
We have a better record than last season. Still in it for CL
What is about him that you find disturbing?
Given the situation we are in, I think he is doing a good job.
The poor away form is down to the players. The perfect team selection and tactics still need to be carried out by the players. It’s not a selection or tactical issue. It’s a mental issue with the players. 2 seasons it’s been like this.
Emery should, try to us to attack in away games instead of setting up more defensively. That means AUBA and LACA together.
We get more diversity in our attack that way.
I hope against the Mooses, we do that. Take advantage of their FA cup win hangover and nick a goal or 2 quick
“CG it seems anytime we lose, you come out against Emery.”
Of course you see him around here less when we win.
CG Where were you from 2008-2018 when we were being steered down the swanny? Yes, Emery is making mistakes but let’s not forget why Emery is here in the first place. Remember all those “staggering mistakes” made by your master. Season in, season out and yet you never battered an eyelid. Quite amazing really. Your negativity towards Emery is based on the fact you wanted someone better or, should I say, better looking? My friend, we were “careering for the rocks” long ago. All Emery is trying to do and, I hasten to add, making a pretty good fist of… Read more »
In other news :
“Tottenham have reminded fans not to persistently stand during their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City tonight. ”
lol
@Batistuta, I am not advocating having an entire team of U23. I am just stating that youth team players should have been given minutes before and used in rotation to give a rest to players before. If you do not introduce youth team, one or two at a time against Cardiff, Huddersfield, Fulham they never going to be ready when you need them. Jordan Osei-tutu, Willock, Nkethia, Saka, Mavrapanos may have been useful and gain meaningful experience for a few game or a few halves. Having not played them when he had the opportunity, Emery is not suddenly going to… Read more »
Goob job on Pierre for being able to admit that Emery improved Ramsey this season.
Has anyone been watching la Liga since ITV got coverage. I know he was injured for 2 years and it would have been a gamble but Santi the other day in the 4-4 draw with Barcelona still looked class, We should have given him a year’s contract as the rumours last May were that he was starting to Train again. Considering the fact that he was that age where coaching was close and we hired Emery I’m thought an extra Spanish/English voice would have been required. Santi/MG last Sunday would have been a much better midfield
It is not a critic of Emery, but I am not sure that he has improved Ramsey tactically. Ramsey always has been able to play disciplined football for a game. A few years ago, Arsenal won a disciplined game gainst Manchester City with Coquelin playing with him. Everybody herald that performance as the dawn of a new control more professional Arsenal. That did not last long. The problem is that soon Ramsey reverts to type, all action Rambo taking the entire opposition team on his own and doing ridiculous flick thats most of the time do not come up. Because… Read more »
Ramsey wasn’t disciplined because the manager never disciplined him. Don’t play him for a string of games, reintroduce him, and what do you know, some of the most consistent play from Ramsey we’ve seen in years.
That could be one take.
@Luteo,
Maybe.
Maybe the coach dropping him was the kick up the backside that he needed.
Personally, I think that Arsenal withdrawing the contract was the big jolt that he needed to get out of his comfort zone. That forced him to look elsewhere where he could fit. And suddenly realising that there was very few Champion’s league teams that would accommodate his style of play.
Make no mistake, Juventus are taking a gamble on Ramsey, the rhetoric shows it, they want to gamble on his style of play and they like free players. He will be better than Khedira definitely…
I’m so pleased Santi Cazorla is doing well again, but extend his contract at Arsenal…….no.
A great player and a great man.
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we managed to get through against Napoli and play Villarreal in the semis.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/tottenham-hotspur-choose-champions-league-adventure-jonathan-liew-a8860146.html#OPTION%20ELEVEN
This is brilliant.
In other news :
“Tottenham have reminded fans not to persistently stand during their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City tonight. ”
There is some disagreements going on between spurs fans on sitting and standing which is quite amusing.
I would have been happy to keep Ramsey on £150K pw maybe even £200K but not £350K no way. Ozil has had a few good games this season especially since he’s been back in the team but just simply isn’t worth the wage he’s on. I really hope we can move him on in the summer but only if we can find someone better with the level of creativity and killer passing that on his day Ozil does possess. Tielemans of Leicester is only on loan and I think we should definitely try and hijack any permanent deal for him… Read more »
I’d be very happy with Tielemans and Gonez replacing Ozil and Ramsey, with Fraser being an upgrade on Iwobi and MK.
Really looking forward to the City Spurs CL match tonight. Hoping City run spurs ragged and hope Spurs pock up some key injuries too.
Predictions?
2 – 1 City for me.
Benny
Score draw for me. Just think City look a little bit jaded!
Spurs still got the new stadium bounce, the place will be rocking and that cannot be underestimated as a factor.
I think City will take the tie in the second leg.
Benny im with you on the spurs getting injuries plan
City will want a result to make sure they have some breathing room.
Spurs had Liverpool on the back foot in the second half
City need to be smart and just win this
Dale La Gooner
“””Make no mistake, Juventus are taking a gamble on Ramsey””””
I think- you will find Dale – we are taking a bigger gamble than Juve
We let our best player go for £0.
(We need to find someone better- good luck with that on a meagre budget )
Meanwhile -They get a top professional for nothing
I hope you don’t play poker….
You would be bankrupt
Chris,
The Tottenham piece on the independent is total genius!
Have a feeling Spuds will run MC close.
I agree, City do look slightly “jaded”.
Liverpool by at least two.
Let’s see.
One of the most accurate articles I’ve ever read. Has the world ending before Spuds win. Naturally.
Pool will win easily. Think either City win 2-1 or it ends in a 1-1 draw. Would like a tense, close affair where Spurs are forced to use a lot of energy.
Liverpool 2 Porto 2
Spurs 4 Man city 1
Man utd 3 Barcelona 2
Ajax 3 Juventus 1
Arsenal 3 Napoli 1
A penalty in each game.
“Spurs still got the new stadium bounce, the place will be rocking and that cannot be underestimated as a factor. ”
But will they manage more than 59,000?
CG
You really think the Spud’s will thrash City and Barca will lose to ManU?
More certain on spurs winning comfortably tonight
Than man utd beating Barcelona
Cant see spurs not winning well tonight marc
Villarreal scored 4 against Barcelona last week.
Man utd should do likewise.
Messi and Dembele have really saved Barcelona bacon this season. Barcelona have been poor, but those two have been able to score or create assists that gave them undeserved points and victory. I don’t know if he is jaded because of the world cup and not having a break for the last two summers, but Suarez has not been his old self. The movement are still good, but the precision isn’t there and the quick dribbling slower than usual giving defenders and goalkeepers a chance at blocking his shots on target. Against Lyon, in the away game they were completely… Read more »
Curious George
I wish the man in the yellow hat would put you down already.
I still like to have Adrien Rabiot replacing Ramsey. He is box to box and can control the midfield.
The problem I have with Ramsey is his injury history. Next year, he will be under the pressure to perform. I fear for his leg muscle.
Gbat
“The poor away form is down to the players. The perfect team selection and tactics still need to be carried out by the players. It’s not a selection or tactical issue. It’s a mental issue with the players.”
You do realize that part of the manager’s job is to motivate the players?
Isco would be a perfect replacement for Ramsey. We can all dream, can’t we?
City has been resting Aguero for the last few games. They are also playing Phil Foden instead of David Silver. City has such a squad depth, no wonder they have no problem playing away games.
CG
I wonder how many of your predictions will ring true?
Have you put a fiver on an accumulator?
It is to Arsenal’s advantage if Spuds gets to the Semi and gets beaten by Juve and Manure plays Pool in the Semi. Spuds and Manure will be so distracted that they may be focusing on the CL.
But there is something fundamentally wrong with this team,whenever they get a sniff they start to disintegrate it has been so for as long as i can remember and i am not being very optimistic when i see them playing 6 games in 18 days.
Graham.
I will have a little wager shortly.
I could do with a big win.
I want to get a “Kreonkes Out ” aeroplane
And banner
if they persist with their inert running of the club.
Emery played Guendouzi and Elneny, I imagine, in order to rest our better central midfielders for Thursday. This may have proven to be a mistake of sorts, but he wasn’t doing it simply for the sake of rotation or because he didn’t respect the opposition. He wanted to preserve certain players for an important European match in midweek and he expected these others players to put in a respectable shift. They came up short. As did many of our players, btw, including AMN. Emery is working with a relatively weak squad. What was he supposed to do? Play his strongest… Read more »
Spurs team to play Man City: Lloris, Trippier, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Rose, Sissoko, Winks, Eriksen, Alli, Son, Kane.
Subs: Gazzaniga, Davies, Sanchez, Foyth, Wanyama, Lucas, Llorente.
Man City team to play Tottenham: Ederson, Walker, Laporte, Otamendi, Delph, Fernandinho, Gundogan, David Silva, Mahrez, Sterling, Aguero
Subs: Muric, Kompany, Stones, De Bruyne, Sane, Foden, Jesus
MC has spent big for Mendy. Now they are still playing Delph as their LB.
Surprise that they play Gundogan and Mahrez instead of De Bruyne and Sane.
No way spurs are scoring 4 city will do them comfortably once the get into their stride.
Charlie George , if you are not deliberately on a wind up then all I can say is you are doing a pretty good job.
Your impression of a WOB is spot on ,reading your comments is like listening to the last 5 years of the Wenger obsessives as I think you Charlie are in danger of becoming a Emery obsessive.
It’s superbly ironic that the likes of Graham , mid West , dissenter etc are up in arms at your criticism of our manager when all you are doing is following in footsteps of the Wenger obsessives…
In the past few games, Spuds played Sanchez as one of the 3 CBs. For this game, they are playing 4 2 3 1 formation. It will be toe to toe with City’s 4 2 3 1 formation. It is going to be attacking from both side. Hopefully, it results in a high scoring game.
Bamford
“Emery is working with a relatively weak squad. What was he supposed to do”
I know this won’t go down well, but maybe in January he could have brought in one of two loan signings for positions that are needed in our ” relatively weak squad ” instead of insisting on bringing Saurez in who plays in a position which, I think is fair to say ,is relatively strong .
The Spuds players and Poch are all dressed up with new suits and ties. The MC players appearing with training suit.
Pierre,
“I know this won’t go down well, but maybe in January he could have brought in one of two loan signings for positions that are needed in our ” relatively weak squad ” instead of insisting on bringing Saurez in who plays in a position which, I think is fair to say ,is relatively strong ”
Which part of no-money available don’t you understand?
He is not responsible for “bringing in” any one.
My Agenda strikes again. The 7.5 million the club is paying to your adored Lord would have come in handy it seems.
Pierre has a permanent hard-on for Dennis Suarez
Medically, that’s called “priapism” – he’s obsessed about the lad.
Getting pissed off hearing the pundits creaming themselves over Spuds new pit
There will be VAR for this game. There is no Referee problems
Hillwood
“Getting pissed off hearing the pundits creaming themselves over Spuds new pit”
Get used to it mate.
Everyone loves a new toy especially when they aren’t the ones that have to pay for it.
VAR is on Rose block the ball with the hand.
Shit. Penalty.
Lovely. Well done VAR.
VAR again. Have to say that in the normal run of the play, it is not a penalty kick.
Saved!!!!
Peroxide manlet bottles it.
Aguero choked lol
He must be friends with Auba
“Peroxide manlet” lol
Up to now, MC plays ball control and Spuds plays fast counter.
Wasn’t a penalty anyway, good that Lloris saved it.
I suppose with VAR next season, the cunt Rose wouldn’t stand a chance diving and feigning injury..shame that Aguero missed it..
Lloris moved forward before the kick was taken where’s the var for that?